Higher Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting 14 February, 2017 Middlesex Community College
Working Group Goals Growing institutional capacity in entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) to contribute to state economic vitality From the Senate Bill Address opportunities and risk in such an enterprise Assess existing E&I programs and initiatives at Higher Eds throughout the state Recommend initiatives that facilitate collaboration and cooperation among Higher Eds on E&I projects Identify funding priorities for higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid (pursuant to sec. 28)
Progress-to-date December: Kick-Off Working Group Meeting Higher Education E&I Surveys Trends & Best Practices Research In-Person Interviews UConn Yale University of Hartford Wesleyan University Consortium of Entrepreneur Educations Trinity College Quinnipiac University University of New Haven Fairfield University University of Bridgeport Southern Connecticut State University
Agenda Implications of Global, National and Local Trends Higher Ed Assets: Opportunities, Challenges Brainstorming: Collaboration Opportunities
Trends QUESTIONS: Which trends are you most concerned about? Why? How could these trends affect entrepreneurship and innovation in Higher Ed?
Pre-Read Highlights Global & National Trends Entrepreneurial Trends The U.S. R&D lead is closing Government funded R&D is shifting Venture capital is globalizing Knowledge is driving today s markets The academic ecosystem is growing more interconnected Entrepreneurial education Degree Production in S&E Social mission is a growing force in U.S. entrepreneurial activity Entrepreneurship peaks among 35 to 44 year olds at 17% Gender disparity Business skills training Online resources Preferred start-up businesses Silver Tsunami Industry Trends Key Industry clusters Others to Add, Discuss? STEM educated workforce needs Beyond STEM Workforce
Higher Ed Innovation Ecosystem Pathways
A Rich Ecosystem(But Not Yet Robust)
Opportunities & Challenges What we ve heard SPARK: Innovative Workforce IDEATE: Entrepreneur Centers IDEATE: Mentor Networks BUILD: Commercialization Infrastructure MATURE: Tech Talent Bridge OTHER: Innovation Places
Innovative Workforce Opportunities Growing Entrepreneurial Studies Cross-disciplinary project-based learning Research Days exposing faculty and students to research and innovation around campus Business idea, pitch competitions open to all students Constraints Quickly evolving trend; lack of standards, best practices Often business-school based, not university wide Generating student/faculty interest Student debt and risk aversion University resource constraints Higher Ed Examples Quinnipiac Internships with start-ups for college credit SCSU Business certificate programs for scientists New Venture Challenge 10 participating schools New Haven U Business modules integrated in engineering courses Wesleyan and Connecticut College Social entrepreneur initiatives UConn, I-Corps Program (facultyfocused) Entrepreneur Clubs (multiple) Do You Agree?
Entrepreneur Centers Opportunities Challenges Potential to become university-wide resource Open to students, faculty, alumni Dedicated FT Staff Industry Internships Associated or nearby makerspaces Business planning assistance Workshops Internal & External Boards Alumni Networks Many models, stages of maturity, funding, staffing, across the state Staff trained in best practices Lack of established center network Higher Ed Examples UConn, CCEI (School of Business) Yale, YEI (University) U Fairfield, Entrepreneurship Lab (University) U New Haven, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, Center for Family Business (University) Quinnipiac U, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (University) U Bridgeport, Student Entrepreneur Center (School of Business) U Hartford (Community-focused) Do You Agree?
Mentor Networks Opportunities Regional alumni engagement Integrate with Development Office Industry engagement Challenges Internships and job placement Entrepreneur-in-Residences Supports faculty and student Entrepreneurs Enhances incubators, accelerators Alumni leave the state or not engaged Resources and skills to pursue industry and alumni contacts Need for best practices Higher Education Examples Yale University, YEI UConn, Undergrad and Graduate programs Fairfield University SCORE/SBA, 25 centers (including Gateway, Housatonic) Do You Agree?
Commercialization Infrastructure Opportunities Two major research universities UConn Yale Other universities with research faculty & commercialization potential Challenges Faculty culture & mentality Capacity to identify opportunities Systems for IP/TT services; Ad Hoc v. Permanent University IP policies Higher Ed Examples Full-Time IP/TTO Support UConn, Office of Vice President of Research Yale, Office of Cooperative Research Engineering Labs and Consortiums University of Hartford Fairfield University Trinity College Southern Connecticut University of Bridgeport Do You Agree?
STEM Workforce From Brookings, 2013: Workers with at least some college have seen a net increase of 2.5 million manufacturing jobs (1980 2011) More STEM-oriented metropolitan economies perform strongly on a wide variety of economic indicators, from innovation to employment. The presence of sub-bachelor s degree STEM workers helps boost innovation measures one-fourth to one-half as much as bachelor s degree STEM workers. Do You Agree?
Ranked 38 of the top 100 metro regions, Share of workers in STEM
Ranked 39 of the top 100 metro regions, Share of workers in STEM
Ranked 69 of the top 100 metro regions, Share of workers in STEM
Anchors Opportunities to engage with larger CT innovation ecosystem that focuses on Innovation Places, where many Higher Ed institutions are participating as anchors. Strong places entice residents and workers to remain in the area off hours, extending the opportunities for collaboration. Strong places create a culturally and educationally enriched environment that strengthens human interaction, knowledge, and motivation. A college involved in cultivating and nurturing an entrepreneurial ecosystem must exhibit its own entrepreneurial spirit while creating an environment where discoveries are made, learning is emphasized, and lives are changed. Thomas McKeon Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, Volume 17, Number 3, p. 85, (2013) Brookings Institute One year after: Observations on the rise of innovation districts Do You Agree?
Further Discussion Do you see other opportunities for collaboration?
Next Steps March 27: Higher Ed Working Group Meeting (Confirm Goals and Priorities) April11: Higher Ed Working Group Meeting (Draft Master Plan) May 1: Submit Master Plan to CTNext Board